(714) 484-7004

Registered Nursing Application Information

Registered Nursing Program Application Information 2025-2026

A. Minimum Standards to Apply

    1. Attend an information workshop. (Strongly recommended)
    2. Apply to Cypress College to obtain a Cypress College student ID number. The email address used on the Cypress College application will be used within your Health Science Application and for all email interactions between the college faculty and staff, clinical sites, and any other program related email interactions.
    3. High school graduation, or passing of the General Education Development tests (GED), or the High school Proficiency Test, or a graduate of an accredited college.
    4. Minimum age of 17 years to apply. Must be 18 years old at the start of clinical training.
    5. Good physical and mental health as determined by a medical examination upon admission to the program. See note in rear.
    6. If you have been convicted of any offense other than a minor traffic violation, it may prevent your attending clinical rotations where criminal background checks are required. You will be required to declare offenses on your state application to write the licensing exam, which may affect your eligibility to become licensed.
    7. Total college grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 “C” or better. Unofficial transcripts of all colleges attended are required.
    8. Completion of ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000E or ESL 110C or equivalent with “C” or better.
    9. Completion of Biology 231C (General Human Anatomy), Biology 241C (General Human Physiology), and Biology 220C (Medical Microbiology) or equivalent with “C” or better. All must have been completed within five years of application.
    10. Chemistry 101C is strongly recommended.
    11. Passing TEAS score (62 or higher) within the last two years and the most current version. Number of attempts is not part of the application process. Cypress College will accept any testing proctor options provided by ATI (online, in-person, etc.).
      • Cypress College is not a TEAS testing site.
      • The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) will be used by the Cypress College Nursing Program.
      • The TEAS is a multiple-choice assessment that will cover English and Language usage, reading, mathematics and science.
      • For more information on the TEAS, applicants may go to: http://www.atitesting.com/global/students/teas-faq.aspx.

B. Program Prerequisites and Requirements

The following courses must be completed with a minimum grade of “C.” Sciences must be completed within five years of filing the first eligible application. Once a passing science grade is achieved within the past five years, repeated courses will not be considered.

  • ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000E or ESL 110C – English Composition – 4.0 units 
  • BIOL 231C** – General Human Anatomy – 4.0 units 
  • BIOL 241C** – General Human Physiology – 4.0 units 
  • BIOL 220C** – Medical Microbiology – 4.0 units 

#    A score of 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement (AP) meets this requirement.

**  Must be taken within 5 years of application opening date.

General Education and Graduation Requirements

The following courses must be taken prior to the expected date of graduation with a grade of “C” or better:

  • PSY 101C # – Introduction to Psychology (minimum 3 units)SOC 101C – Introduction to Sociology (minimum 3 units)
  • COMM C1000 – Oral Communication (Category 1B) (minimum 3 units)
  • Arts + – (Category 3A*) (minimum 3 units)
  • Humanities + – (Category 3B*) (minimum 3 units)
  • Math # + – Any Math meeting GE requirement (MATH 120C recommended) (minimum 3 units)
  • Ethnic Studies + * – (Category 6) (minimum 3 units)
  • Physical Activity and Health Requirement + * – (Category 7*) (minimum 1 unit)

    + May be waived based on completion of an associate degree or higher at an accredited institution in the U.S.

    # A score of 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement (AP) meets this requirement.

    * See Cypress College Local GE (https://www.cypresscollege.edu/native-ge/), Counselor, or the catalog.

C. Application Procedures

  1. Before the application opens online, review and follow the instructions on the Registered Nursing home page and Health Science Application page.
  2. Apply to Cypress College to obtain a Cypress College student ID#.
  3. Unofficial transcripts and/or proof of registration from all colleges, with a record of enrollment, will be required to be uploaded within the online Health Science application.
  4. If using AP, IB, and/or CLEP courses, after receiving a Cypress College ID#, submit official score report/transcript to Cypress College Admissions and Records mailing address: 9200 Valley View St., Cypress, CA 90630.
  5. Application must be completed online the first week of February for fall consideration and the first week of September for Spring consideration. Visit the Registered Nursing home page for more information and application and transcript deadlines. https://careers.cypresscollege.edu/programs/nursing/
  6. Log into the online Health Science Application using myGateway credentials during the application period. Submit needed documents following the instructions within the online application.
  7. Notification letters are sent out no later than December 1 for Spring consideration and May 1 for Fall consideration. Deadline to respond to the notification letter is typically 3-5 business days.
  8. Determination of acceptance is based upon the selection criteria.
  9. It is the responsibility of the applicant to thoroughly read all information provided within the handouts and the program’s webpage to review for updates and changes that can occur at any time prior to or after the application period.

D. Candidate Selection Criteria

  • Students for the RN program are selected using the system listed below. No other criteria are used for selection.
  • Applicants exceed capacity.
  • Acceptance is based on a confirmation response by the deadline stated in the notification letter from the applicant selected and followed by mandatory attendance at an orientation.
  • F-1 visa students will not be accepted for admission into any program when applications by qualified U.S. citizens exceed space available (AP 5012 1.4.).
  • Rank List – See Workshop Handout
    • Ranking will first be based on the following 30-point system:
      • Prerequisite Science Courses – Up to 15 points based on grade of each course.
      • General Education Courses – Up to 10 points based on completion of each requirement with a passing grade.
      • Additional Criteria – Up to 5 points.
    • Grade point average (GPA) of all prerequisite courses and general education courses will determine who will be selected in the event there is a tie in points.
    • Reference Number (determined by the date and time application was submitted online) will be used for identical GPAs.
    • Selection criteria subject to change.
  • Lottery List
    •  25% of the accepted cohort roster will come from the Lottery option.
    • Must have all General Education courses completed with a ‘C’ or better at the time of application to be considered for the lottery selection.   

Nursing Program Requirements

Nursing courses must be taken in specific sequence. For further information, see a Health Science Counselor. The student must attain a minimum grade of “C” in each required course to continue in the program. All listed courses below must be taken at Cypress College with the cohort. 

Curriculum 
Semester I 

  • NURS 191C – Pharmacology in Nursing I – 1.0 units 
  • NURS 192C – Fundamentals of Nursing – 4.5 units 
  • NURS 193C – Intro to Med-Surg/Geriatric Nursing – 3.5 units 

Semester I Units – 9.0 

Semester II 

  • NURS 195C – Pharmacology in Nursing II – 1.0 units 
  • NURS 196C – Med-Surg Nursing I – 5.0 units 
  • NURS 197C – Maternal/Newborn Nursing – 3.5 units 

Semester II Units – 9.5 

Semester III 

  • NURS 291C – Pharmacology in Nursing III – 1.0 units 
  • NURS 292C – Med-Surg Nursing II – 5.0 units 
  • NURS 293C – Mental Health Nursing – 3.5 units 
  • NURS 294C – Geriatric Nursing – 3.0 units 

Semester III Units – 12.5 

Semester IV 

  • NURS 295C – Pharmacology in Nursing IV – 0.5 units 
  • NURS 296C – Child/Family Nursing – 3.5 units 
  • NURS 297C – Med-Surg Nursing III – 5.0 units 

Semester IV Units – 9.0 

Health Science Counselors
Division of Health Science
Cypress College
9200 Valley View St.
Cypress, CA  90630-5897
(714) 484-7015

Health Science Applications Office
Health Science Building/TE3-217
Cypress College
9200 Valley View St.
Cypress, CA 90630-5897
(714) 484-7270
healthscience@cypresscollege.edu

Important Information

Cypress College Health Science programs require that students complete full vaccination status against COVID-19, including booster, prior to entry into the program as a result of clinical sites’ requirements. No exemptions or alternative measures will be considered and any disregard to this policy or falsifying of documentation may result in violation of BP 5500 Standards of Student Conduct and result in disciplinary actions.

In compliance with the State Board of Registered Nursing Guidelines, no student with impaired health status (which includes use of legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or other chemicals) shall be admitted or allowed to remain enrolled in the Nursing Program.

Students applying to the Nursing Program with a history of substance abuse, physical impairment, or mental/ emotional impairment shall be required to provide proof of active participation in a recognized treatment program at the time of application.

Evidence of continuing rehabilitation may be required if admitted or re-admitted to the Nursing Program.

These standards are necessary for the Cypress College Registered Nursing Program to be in compliance with the Board of Registered Nursing Guidelines and maintain full accreditation.

The North Orange County Community College District, in compliance with all applicable Federal and State Laws, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, religion, disability, sex, or sexual orientation in any of its policies, procedures, or practices. The district is also committed to maintaining campuses that are free of harassment, drugs and alcohol.